Emperor Obama visits Phoenix and the Grand Canyon : AZ IMC

Tusayan awaits visit by Obamas

The community of Tusayan, just outside the South Rim entrance gate to Grand Canyon National Park, has been waiting, watching and asking all week about the arrival of President Obama and the first family.

Secret Service personnel and men with military haircuts have been noted around town, as have cargo planes landing at an airport typically used for small aircraft and air tours over the Grand Canyon. Local pilots are expecting to hear about related flight restrictions Friday, with the Obamas landing in Tusayan sometime Sunday morning and leaving Sunday afternoon.

The White House has said that this visit is a family trip to the Grand Canyon and that no statements or public appearances were planned in Flagstaff or the park, at least as of Wednesday.

As the main entry point for Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan is used to seeing presidential motorcades.

The community received visits from both the elder and younger President Bush, and President Clinton, who came to announce the designation of Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

"Here, as soon as Air Force One flies over, you know you've got a period of time to go stand by the road," said Clarinda Vail, owner of the Red Feather Lodge.

Each time it's different, Vail said.

George H.W. Bush waved to crowds and drove through with the windows down.

When the younger Bush drove by, it was difficult to tell which vehicle was his, she said.

A few in Tusayan also pondered whether the airport would hold up this time.

The arrival of the Air Force One jet has previously been powerful enough to blow out the lights there.

Local hoteliers report rooms are already mostly full due to the summer season, but they also note the presence of White House trip-planners in town, and a few are probably booking remaining rooms.

At Grand Canyon Camper Village inside the national park, most of the visitors are European, and largely unaware of the upcoming visit.

Try as they might, the staff at We Cook Pizza and Pasta can't get any hints about the schedule from the official-looking types now frequenting the restaurant, said Manager Brian Ciesielski.

"Anytime a president comes, it's a big to-do in the community, and we're all secretly hoping he comes in and says 'Hi' like anyone else might do," he said.

More realistically, he just wants to know what time Sunday to go stand by the side of the road.

"We hope we get to see him, and we'd love to meet him," Ciesielski said. "We also understand that that opportunity is remote."

Obama is visiting Bozeman, Mont., Yellowstone National Park, Grand Junction, Colo., and Phoenix as part of series of visits to national parks, paired with talks on proposed changes to the nation's health care system.

The White House has said the trips are meant, in part, to encourage people to visit the national park system during the summer's third and last "fee-free" weekend, when entry fees are waived.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama would speak to the Veterans of Foreign War convention on Monday in Phoenix. Gibbs says Obama will discuss the United States' responsibilities to maintain the world's finest military.

Gibbs also says Obama will speak about the nation's responsibility to the men and women of the armed services when they return home from combat. Presidents typically address the convention. Obama spoke to the group last year as a presidential candidate.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. can be reached at or at ccole@azdailysun.com.

Grand Canyon community anxiously awaits Obama

FLAGSTAFF - Residents of the Grand Canyon community of Tusayan are anxiously awaiting Sunday's arrival of President Barack Obama and his family.

Already Secret Service personnel have been seen in town. Cargo jets have also landed at the nearby airport that normally serves as a hub for air tour operators.

The White House has said the visit is a family trip to the Grand Canyon and that no statements or public appearances were planned in Flagstaff or the park.
As the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Tusayan has seen its share of presidential motorcades.

The community received visits from President Bush and President Clinton.

After his visit to northern Arizona, President Obama is expected to return to Phoenix. Monday, he addresses the Veterans of Foreign War convention.

President Barack Obama will speak Monday before the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Phoenix, the White House announced Wednesday as details of his upcoming trip to Arizona continue to trickle out.

"President Obama will be discussing our responsibility to maintain the world's finest military in the 21st century, to give our troops and veterans the care, the benefits and the respect that they have earned," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will arrive Saturday from Grand Junction, Colo. The family intends to visit the Grand Canyon on Sunday.

Gibbs said he doubted Obama would take questions at the closed-to-the-public VFW gathering at the downtown Phoenix Convention Center.

"It is a time-honored tradition for the commander-in-chief of our nation's armed forces to address the national convention of America's largest organization of combat veterans, which celebrates its 110th anniversary next month," VFW National Commander and Vietnam War veteran Glen M. Gardner Jr. said in a written statement.

"We are grateful to President Obama for taking the time to speak to us on issues that are vitally important to our nation's veterans, her military and their families."

Please widely circulate this announcement!

TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA
BRING THE TROOPS HOME FROM
AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ
WHEN HE SPEAKS TO VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AT THE DOWNTOWN PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER
THIS MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
6 a.m. - 12 p.m. - the earlier the better to reserve a spot
Southwest Corner of 3rd Street & Monroe

Please RSVP to endthewarcoalition@cox.net. Double-check for updated e-mail announcements and double check for updates at http://www.azpeace.tk and http://www.azpeace.or, If you can't find us on Monday, August 17 call (480) 620-5323.

It will be hot so bring water, hat and sunblock lotion. We will have signs and banners about the war. This action is to focus on the war in Afghanistan and the continuing escalation of hostilities- let's stay focused on our message of peace with justice. We are there to non-violently oppose the wars.

While we oppose the President’s escalation of the Afghanistan war, the majority of End the War Coalition participants support many of President Obama’s policies. At this protest we want to clearly distinguish ourselves from those in complete disagreement with President Obama. However, as abolitionist Frederick Douglas explained, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”
Traffic will be congested near the convention center Take public transportation or get dropped off nearby and walk
Directions to the Phoenix Convention Center (Phoenix Civic Plaza):
The major cross streets of the Phoenix Convention Center are Monroe to Jefferson, 2nd to 5th Street.
From North Phoenix/Scottsdale: Take the Piestewa Peak Parkway (SR 51) south to I-10. Exit I-10 at Washington/Jefferson Street. Turn right (west) on Washington Street to 7th Street.
From East Valley: Take I-60 west to Interstate 10 west. Exit I-10 at Washington. Take a left (west) on Washington to 7th Street.
From West/Southwest Phoenix: Take I-10 east to 7th Street exit. Turn right (south) on 7th Street to Washington.
From Northwest Phoenix/Glendale: Take I-17 south to Jefferson Street. Turn left (east) on Jefferson Street to First Street.
By METRO Light Rail: Use the 3rd Street/Washington or 3rd Street/Jefferson station.

Do you want a deeper understanding of the US involvement with Afghanistan?
Free, short documentaries!
http://www.RethinkAfghanistan.com

Should the US government have a plan to get OUT of Afghanistan?
Support Rep. James McGovern’s bill HR2404 to develop one.
Two Arizona congressmen already support HR 2404.
See the cost of the war to our community at http://www.costofwar.com